HE was captured in their pit of injusticehttp://www.assatashakur.org/forum/images/smi

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Thursday, April 2
Welcome to Leon's Plea for Justice Blog

This is my families’ testimony of truth:
On September 18, 2008, our family had to endure what we refer to as our family's “911”; our family received a call from an inmate using an illicit cell phone at McNeil Island Corrections Center (MICC), informing us that Leon was being air lifted off the island for medical reasons originally thought to be a heart attack. He also said that Leon had been caught with contraband (cell phone) and placed in segregation hours prior to this. We immediately began calling the facility to see what had happened. In a panic and search for answers regarding Leon's status, we as a family, were left in the dark by DOC. We were never contacted directly nor given any detailed information regarding Leon when we contacted the facility. They never once informed his emergency contact or immediate family about his condition. The only thing they told our family was to call his wife, which was in contact with us and also unable to get any straight answers regarding what was happening. We got the complete run-around. We were eventually told, after numerous phone calls, that Leon was being airlifted off of the island to a surrounding area hospital; mind you, because he had suffered a "heart attack".

It was not until later that evening that we began to hear rumors of a possible suicide attempt. My brother was 12 years into and 20 year sentence; in-other-words, he had made it through the most difficult time 10 fold.

With so many questions looming and Leon's fate in hanging in the balance, we were devastated and at a complete loss.

We were not told until the following day what hospital he was at, so for the first day Leon was completely alone in the physical. The next day, upon family arriving, we were each denied visitation with Leon because he was in custody of the WA St DOC; the exception of his "alleged" wife, Rene Matthews, who was allowed to visit for only two hours a day. Imagine, the majority of us having flown across the country, walking into an Intensive Care Unit with a family member in a critical state and receiving no answers as to how these injuries occurred.

Leon was on life-support but shackled and handcuffed to the bed with a 24-hour bedside guard.

Our family has suffered many civil rights violations as well as inhumane treatment courtesy of the WA State DOC and McNeil Island Corrections Center. Our family was made to feel like prisoners throughout this entire ordeal. The Corrections Center (MICC) continues to give our family half truths leading us to believe with that, in addition to others factors that they are directly responsible for my brothers’ serious medical injuries and are involved in a cover-up.

One inmate(who would like to remain anonymous but will stand behind his disclosure)accounts, in detail, what he saw in a letter written to the family; he states that he witnessed WA DOC’s “lack of urgency” in assisting Leon during the emergency situation. He accounts that he and other inmates heard the helicopter turned on and
then off again. He saw the paramedics slowly walking to attend to Leon. He also, at one point, saw Leon sitting up; all at the same instance the guards were saying he was “dead”. Now if they are pronouncing him "dead", is that how DOC handles a dead man; propping him in an upright position instead of respectfully laying him down and covering him? If they announced on more than one occasion he was dead that means Leon started his fight to live amongst the very people that don’t want us to know what truly happened to him. As his family we don’t know if they really tried to save him but one thing for certain is that once we started calling around 11:45 – 12noon PST they finally decided to take him off the island to receive proper care; his suspected "heart attack" was around the hour of 10 am. Why did it take upwards of two hours to transfer him to a medical facility? It is our belief if DOC would have taken him out for medical care immediately he wouldn’t be in the condition he is in now.

Either way we look at this, these injuries were parented while in the care and custody of the Washington State DOC (McNeil Island Corrections Center). In the beginning we were told he had a heart attack, this story as I stated was later changed to an attempted suicide by hanging, which to the family and friends is unbelievable because of the lack of evidence to support his want to die and also various stories we have been given by both inmates and staff of the correctional facility. The bottom line is, as well as fact, that McNeil Island Corrections Center has attributed the events of September 18, 2008 to “bad apples”. They have failed to accept any responsibility or dig deeper for the truth so that those having participated in illegal activities resulting in Leon Toney becoming medically incapacitated can be brought to justice.

How can you admit knowledge of illegal contraband being smuggled into the prison and illicit goods brought in by guards and correctional employees, but say no foul play has been involved? If they wanted to stop contraband from coming into a prison they could. This system is about the economy of the participants; the intentional creation of a criminal class that law abiding citizens will fear as the result of our lack of positive law enforcement; they are guilty of corrupting the very law that they are appointed to uphold.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations, as well as Washington State Patrol and Washington State Department of Corrections, has been investigating this case for six months. To date, one corrections officer has been arrested and convicted following the investigation into illegal activity at the prison.

From the beginning of this investigation our family was told by the DOC that no foul-play was involved; even prior to a review of the surveillance tapes.One quote from a Federal Bureau of Investigations agent was, "all we want or care about is the dirty prison guards nothing else”. That is a pretty insensitive statement regarding a situation in which a man almost lost his life. Are we supposed to believe that all of these state agencies are truly conducting thorough independent investigations?

I'm sure you all know the old adage saying - You can tell of a society by how it treats its weakest members. I’m not proud to be a part of a society that allows prisoners to be murdered or harmed in prison, or a society that doesn't protect the mentally ill.

We are diligently working towards getting the word out against these sorts of injustices and are most certainly open to any and all suggestions or assistance that may be available to us. Thanks for all the prayers, phone calls and efforts to speak out against prison abuse!!!!!
If you said... [url=http://www. stopprisonabuse said...

10:11 a.m.
First up is the case of Leon Toney, 32, who is seeking a commutation of his prison sentence. As before, I should note, I was not able to review the petition files beforehand, so I’ll be learning about these cases along with you.

Not sure what Leon’s crime is, but he is completely disabled and needs 24/7 care. Right now, he’s on an “extraordinary medical placement” in a Tacoma nursing home. His family wants his out of DOC jurisdiction so they can take care of him without the hassle of DOC rules.

The prosecutor’s office in Pierce County does not object.

But how did a 32-year-old criminal become this disabled?

Here’s the story. Wow. He was hanged in his McNeil Island Corrections Center cell in 2008. But was it a murder attempt or suicide? He’d been in prison since 1996, on a 28-year sentence for shooting a man in the stomach during a home-invasion-style robbery.

It’s been established, however, that as a result of the hanging, Toney is in a “persistive vegetative state.”

The board votes 5-0 to commute Toney’s sentence. As board member Cheryl Terry noted, “he’s clearly no threat.” Toney is here today, and one look at him in an extended wheelchair makes that obvious.

January 20, 2010 (by Horatio Algren) According to reports the family of an inmate filed a legal suit claiming that at the time the inmate was injured, corrections officers were taking bribes for special favors.

The inmate that was injured sustained brain damage when he attempted to hang himself, during a time when corrections officers were allegedly taking bribes for access to cell phones and unauthorized conjugal visits. These could be bought and money was extorted from prisoners that would not pay according to the lawsuit filed by the family.

According to Tacoma attorneys Jack Connelly and Nathan Roberts their client attempted suicide in September of 2008. They also stated to The News Tribune that they are not sure how widespread the corruption at McNeil Island prison was in September of 2008.

Attorney Roberts stated it is part of the reason for their case, to see how many people were involved. Leon Toney was 31 at the time he attempted to commit suicide, this according to Toney , his guardians and his attorneys occurred after he was placed in solitary confinement.

According to Toney’s attorneys, he was placed in solitary confinement after he would not pay the bribery demands as a way of vengeance against the inmate. The lawsuit states that the corrections officers knew that Toney might be a danger to himself due to the fact that he had been previously diagnosed with mental health issues, and now remains in a semi-vegetative state.

The suit states that the Department of Correction officers either knew or should have known that improperly locking the inmate in solitary confinement. This would have aggravated Toney’s serious depression and suicidal ideation according to the suit. The outreach director communications spokes person Belinda Stewart for the Corrections Department stated there would be no comment and that while they extend their sympathy to Mr. Toney and his family they will defend their actions.

Stewart stated that they believe the evidence will show that Mr. Toney’s actions were what caused his injuries. The investigation conducted by the Washington State Patrol detective Juli Gundermann after Toney’s relatives alleged that his injuries could have been caused by foul play.

Gundermann stated there was no evidence to implicate the Department of Corrections officers with the exceptions of Toney’s family, according to a report Gundermann submitted to her superiors on May 28, 2009. Attorney’s Connelly and Roberts stated the investigation done by Gundermann, including the statements from corrections personnel are part of the basis for Toney and his relatives lawsuit.

Part of what was uncovered was that at least three female corrections employees at the prison had sex with inmates, smuggled cell phones, tobacco and drugs, as well as other contraband to prisoners. They also allowed prisoners to have sex with women from outside of the prison for a fee according to the reportinvolved in the incident and the investigation of Leon G. Toney DOC. While in the custody in the state of Washington State Prison, on September 18, 2008, approximately before noon that day I received a disturbing call of my son being involved of some type of mishap or incident at McNeil Island . Since that day I and my loved ones have been tormented of that day. And probably will remain so our entire lifespan. Scared by the deception, mislead, and entangled paper work of this justice system. So many questions still unanswered. With limited medical care and not even allowing my son the splints needed for his arms and legs to help to stop them from being frozen since that time. His immediate medical care, being a traumatic brain injury requires specific specialist that are skilled to treat his injuries and disabilities. By slimming the chances for him or us as his family, to help him regain any value of life.

How can, in America , a women’s seed which she sacrificed, nourished, loved, and honored by many. That the people that should be leading the future of our seeds disregard human life at this degree? I and we speaking as the people that love him has suffered in this sacrifice much too long. Personally, having the knowledge that there is a superior creator I understand spiritual righteousness. I can see clearly why it is called a Babylonian system? Doing exactly what it is said is unlawful indulging in that same act of injustice itself. And condemning so many others for the mistakes not yet educated enough to prevent them from making the same mistakes from reoccurring in their future. Not even giving our seed a chance to lead before you take them and put them in chains and behind your locked doors. In the views of your said surveillance cameras and est.

Out of the eyes of the public and those which can see the truth! With the truth being what it should be, and no hidden lies and clause, given out of respect, I am asking for closure in your paper work and reports. As I have experience the disregard, disrespectful attitude from the people of the state of Washington , is horrifying. This will haunt me my entire life. I can’t believe I had this personal experience. I will ask you no more questions. And never told you any lies. But I am tiered and my life must go on to some point of degree. I will seek within myself and hold close to my loved ones and value and cherish with sincerity of what we have left. And we will spend the rest of ours lives trying to make my seed smile again. Or even wink his eye at us. And just maybe one day, that hug he longed for from me, he will be able to give me. He’s trying so hard. He loves when I take his arms and hands and try to wrap them around me for that hug. He can not hold on. His brain gives no signal that his body can do that because of his injuries. That I don’t have the financial ability to provide the equipment, food, or medical needs that is needed to take my son to a home that is ours in a place where we can have celebrated traditional cultural feasts. Actually, I as his mother can not believe this! I will not lie to you about it I will pray for vengeance from that same creator I was taught to pray to. At this point he is the only one that has to forgive you. I will never forget it. I myself know no other greater pain. And I also know that there have been so many others that have suffered the violation of human rights before me. And pray that not many after me will have to. This hurts! This hurts deeper then the sea and the ocean. That’s deep. I scream IN JUSTUCE from the mountain!!!!! And Babylon must fall from that mountain top. And what how ever high Babylon may stand it have been prophecies to fall. I bare witness to this. My testimony has been prepared and stand before that creator and the court of the elderly that’s in the testaments in the holy scrolls which was stolen centuries ago. My testimony is completed against this Babylonian chase congregation that practice as it has for centuries the unlawful right to violate the same laws that you have prosecute us about. How is that Justice, Righteousness, and Truth and it is so far from the love which created us to live together in peace and harmony as one with him eternally. We were taught the value to treat others the way we would want to be treated.

This system is so for from the love which we were given from the greatest where I believe that all life had to come from. I couldn’t of bared man by myself. And not any one human could have loved him more but the one that gave him to me. His name, I yet not to know the truth about that either. Because of the same deceive your ancestor have endured unto us. At least give me the time and respect for the closure.

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